Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Ghoraiba (غريبة) is a popular Levant butter cookie of a shortbread nature that is also very famous in Egypt.
Traditionally, it has only three ingredients: sugar, ghee, and flour, and topped with a nut of choice. Modern additions, which are optional, include a touch of vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Since tashreebs and thareeds are so ancient and adaptable to what ingredients one has on hand, it is no surprise that there are almost as many varieties are there are families who cook it. While my family's chicken tashreeb is my absolute favorite (and adapted to an express recipe as well), I could not resist trying out Nawal Nasrallah's recipe from her Iraqi encyclopedia-cookbook Delights from the Garden of Eden.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

These candy bars surprised me at how good they were. A brown sugar batter is enriched with added M&M's and chopped oreos. The batter does not have any leavening agent, such as baking powder or baking soda, resulting in a slightly dense and moist.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

This Iraqi vegetarian/vegan appetizer is another gem from Delights from the Garden of Eden.
Similar in concept to the classic hummus, fresh fava or broad beans lend a unique flavor Iraqis love very much (especially in rice).

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Some M&M around the world uses the red Carmine dye, aka E120, which is derived from a type of insect and is not halal to consume. As we are blessed enough to live in an Islamic State, out red M&Ms are dyed with beetroot red E162, which is totally halal.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Of late, this herby, nutty lebna log has been my go-to breakfast. Requiring no cooking, and minimal prep time, it is a major health kick for the body to boot. The basic strained yogurt recipe we used to also make lebna balls is rolled into a log, smothered in some roasted nuts and zaatar, then flanked by a side of briny olives and fresh parsley.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Brazilians have a love affair with sweetened condensed milk, and use it famously and frequently in their desserts and many drinks. Brigadeiro is a notorious Brazilian sweet, made simply from cooking sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder and a pad of butter until thick and pasty.